Social media is all about connecting with people and engaging in conversations around the issues of everyday life. For me as a Christian, that means engaging from a faith perspective!
I’m excited about engaging in social media conversations about purpose, faith, family, and goals and dreams. However, today’s online conversation took a jolting turn: the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that rattled the East Coast of the United States this afternoon!
I live on the East Coast. Around 1:51 p.m. my house began to vibrate and shake. Gently at first, and then the shaking became increasingly more violent! The floors swayed for about 45 seconds! And believe me when I say, those 45 seconds felt more like 45 minutes! Pictures and mirrors moved on the walls, and items toppled from cabinets and shelves. Then it stopped, just as suddenly as it had started.
Miraculously, there was no broken glass, no injuries, no visible sign of any damage done at all. All I could say was, “Thank you, Jesus!”
Shortly following the quake, I posted about the event on Facebook and Twitter, and immediately got responses from others who had felt tremors in VA, MD, NYC, and MI. We touched and agreed how good and merciful God was for providing His covering, and for blessing us to survive and escape the quake unscathed!
We prayed for, and encouraged one another! We inquired how we might be of assistance to others who might have been hurt or suffered loss. We applied our faith!
I connected with family and friends on FB, made phone calls (including to 911), and visited with neighbors to try to make sure folks were OK! What a beautiful sight to see neighbors assisting neighbors, even though we all seemed a bit shaken up! Happily, everyone seemed to have made it through the quake in pretty good shape. Praise Our God!
Social media can be a great tool for reaching out to serve others in emergency situations like today’s 5.8 earthquake! It’s a great assist in checking on each other, and ministering in times of stress and need, to encourage, comfort, collaborate, and quickly mobilize assistance!
When you step into service to others your light shines forth, not to call attention to yourself, but to glorify your Father in Heaven! (See Mathew 5:16.) Praise God for His goodness and mercy in bringing us safely through today’s quake!
What suggestions do you have for applying faith and social media during emergencies?
Until next time, remember, you can do all things through Christ Jesus,
Stay Blessed!
Kenneth Lillard
FAITH BASED MEDIA 2.0 